Marine Corps Special Prosecutor Raids Office and Home of Human Rights Commissioner Kim Yongwon

On November 12, the special prosecutor team led by Lee Myunghyun, investigating suspicions related to the death of Private Chae, conducted a search and seizure of the office and residence of Kim Yongwon, Standing Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, in connection with the dismissal of Colonel Park Junghoon’s (former head of the Marine Corps Investigation Unit) petition.

Yonhap News Agency

According to legal sources, the special prosecutor team searched Commissioner Kim’s office in Jung-gu, Seoul, and his residence in Seocho-gu, Seoul, that afternoon. This is the second search of Commissioner Kim's office, following the first on October 16. In addition, the office of Kim’s former secretary, identified as Mr. Noh, was also subject to the search and seizure.

The special prosecutor team reportedly launched a second round of compulsory investigation in order to obtain Commissioner Kim’s mobile phone and PC, which were not secured during the first search. Previously, Commissioner Kim had replaced the mobile phone he used during the Chae case in June of this year.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim is under suspicion of abuse of authority for allegedly exerting undue influence to dismiss both the emergency relief measures and the petition filed by Colonel Park, who exposed external pressure on the investigation into Private Chae’s case. Initially, Commissioner Kim issued a statement on August 9, 2023, criticizing the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor’s Office for retrieving investigation materials related to the Chae case, but changed his stance and dismissed the emergency relief request after a phone call with former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop on August 14.

On October 31, Commissioner Kim stated, “The decision to dismiss Colonel Park’s petition was made in accordance with the quorum requirements under the National Human Rights Commission Act and is therefore lawful,” adding, “No one’s exercise of rights was obstructed.”